Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced the development of a 25-year master plan for the expansion of Moscone Convention Center with completion of the first phase expected by early 2018.

“The recent renovations at Moscone North and South are exciting, but they don’t address San Francisco’s need for more convention and meeting space to remain competitive with cities around the world,” said Mayor Lee. “Tourism is our City’s number one industry and bringing Moscone into the 21st Century will boost our City’s economy.”

“This is one of the most utilized convention centers in the nation and many of our convention clients are simply outgrowing it,” said President and CEO of the San Francisco Travel Association Joe D’Alessandro. “Other competing cities have either recently expanded their convention centers or are planning expansions. We can’t sit back and let other cities around the world take our business away.” Read more.

Mayor Edwin M. Lee and Board President David Chiu today introduced a proposal to reform the City’s current anti-job business tax structure for the November 2012 ballot. After months of thorough analysis by the City Controller, economic modeling by the City Economist and inclusive outreach to San Francisco’s diverse business communities, Mayor Lee and Board President David Chiu proposed a gross receipts tax as an alternative to the City’s current payroll tax, which punishes companies for growing and creating new jobs in San Francisco. The measure also raises $13 million in new General Fund revenue through increased business license fees for affordable housing.

“San Francisco is the only city in California with a payroll tax and it’s time to reward companies for creating jobs in our City, not punish them,” said Mayor Lee. “After months of inclusive, transparent outreach to the City’s diverse business community and many others, President Chiu and I are proposing comprehensive business tax reform for this November that ends our tax on jobs, protects small business and will bring stable, growing revenue for vital City services and affordable housing for the future.” Read more.

Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced new commitments to neighborhood commercial districts and small businesses in his proposed two year budget. The budget will more than double grants funding to $1.5 million; add $4 million to dramatically expand loans and other grants specifically targeted at neighborhood small businesses; double the team that works full time in neighborhood commercial corridors to streamline permitting and link small businesses with City programs and resources; and launch the Jobs Squad to help neighborhood small businesses get expert City staff out of City Hall and into the neighborhoods.

Mayor Lee was joined by Board Budget Chair Supervisor Carmen Chu, District 6 Supervisor Jane Kim, area business owners, neighborhood residents and leaders, community-based groups, and City department heads to make the announcement in Little Saigon in the Uptown Tenderloin Historic District neighborhood. Read more.

Mayor Edwin M. Lee and Supervisor Malia Cohen today announced new legislation to approve a long-term, 60-year master lease agreement and expansion plans for the San Francisco Wholesale Produce Market located in the Bayview. The Wholesale Produce Market is a hub of San Francisco’s fresh food system, providing a steady supply of fruit and vegetables to restaurants and local grocers with nearly $500 million in gross annual revenue.

“The San Francisco Wholesale Produce Market has been supplying our City and region with fresh, healthy produce for 137 years. This new $100 million investment and expansion will ensure that small businesses, neighborhood grocers and anyone in the market for fresh produce for their business will continue to receive their goods from San Francisco,” said Mayor Lee. “The Market will continue to provide an economic benefit to the City and create jobs for our residents.” Read more.

As part of the Mayor's Fiscal Year 2012-13 budget proposal, Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced a five-point plan to support San Francisco's local manufacturing industry during SFMade Week. According to SFMade, a local nonprofit that assists and supports the vibrant manufacturing sector in San Francisco, the City is home to more than 325 manufacturing firms employing 3,000 people.

"San Francisco is becoming a national model for innovative local urban manufacturing," said Mayor Lee. "We are working with SFMade to provide a focused effort and demonstrate our commitment to manufacturers in San Francisco who continue to thrive and produce not only great products, but also great jobs for San Franciscans." Read more.